What to Do When You Run Out of USB Ports

What should I do now that I have a ton of stuff plugged into my computer, and no longer have any open USB ports?

You could always start switching over to Bluetooth peripherals… but if you are not keen on spending money on new wireless mice and keyboards, a simple USB hub will solve your problems.

A USB hub is like a splitter — one end plugs into an empty USB port on your computer, and the other end features numerous open USB ports, enabling you to plug multiple USB devices into one USB port. USB hubs can be found on Amazon.com, as well as in almost any electronics or office supply store.

Running out of USB ports is a pretty common problem. USB has become the standard for devices such as keyboards, mice, and printers, all of which used to have their own specific interface. People who have older computers are frequently affected by the problem since their systems usually have only two or three USB ports at most, but even new computers with USB ports in every nook and cranny eventually run out of open space.

Editor’s note: The “USB hub” links in this article lead to Amazon.com search results pages. Since these are search results, their contents may change over time. Of Zen and Computing has not evaluated any of these products. By purchasing products from Amazon.com using our links, you help to support Of Zen and Computing by allowing us to earn a commission from your purchase.

Photo by spierzchala.